PRESENTING THE
2017 DONOR DIGEST The theme for the 2017 edition of the Donor Digest is The Love of Sharing. The donors featured in this publication represent the many members of the College of Charleston community who generously share their resources to advance the College and ensure our future success. We created the Donor Digest to celebrate the impact of philanthropy and thank you for your contributions to making the College the special place it is. • Of Honors College graduates, 87 percent were admitted to at least one of the graduate and/or professional programs to which they applied – the acceptance rate for medical school was 75 percent.
• Best Computer Science Schools ranked the College of Charleston as the No. 5 Best Bachelor’s in Big Data Programs.
• School of the Arts Dean Valerie Morris received the Higher Education Award from the Arts Schools Network in recognition of her continuous support of the sustainability of quality arts education in K-12 schools. • A record four students from the College won Fulbright awards. In recognition of this accomplishment, the U.S. Department of State (which oversees the Fulbright awards) named the College among the country’s Top Producers of Fulbright Students.
• Three chemistry majors were awarded Goldwater Scholarships, “the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering in America.” • The sailing team is the Inter-collegiate Sailing Association national champion and has earned that distinction seven times in the program’s history. • Students in the CofC Libraries’ Community Service Program completed nearly 2,000 hours of volunteer work. • The College was named Travel + Leisure’s “Most Beautiful College Campus.”
Private support from investors like you is more important than ever to build upon these accomplishments and strengthen the value of the College. Thank you for the extraordinary impact you make with your generosity! Our collective commitment to the power of philanthropy will remain a cornerstone of the College of Charleston’s lasting success. With heartfelt thanks,
Chris Tobin Executive Vice President, Institutional Advancement Executive Director, College of Charleston Foundation giving.cofc.edu
Beauty & Brains
Majestic oaks draped in Spanish moss. Grand structures dripping with architectural charm. Tucked-away gardens scattered across stunning grounds. Those of us lucky enough to spend time at the College of Charleston already know just how beautiful this campus is. And now the rest of the world does, too. Last July, the College was voted America’s Most Beautiful College Campus through an open contest on Travel + Leisure’s website. Our hidden gem is not so hidden anymore!
CONTENTS _
Letter From the President.............................................6 By the Numbers............................................................8 Happenings & Highlights 2017..................................13 Impact Spotlights........................................................20 2017 College of Charleston Boards.............................66 Contact Us..................................................................68
2017 DONOR DIGEST
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to my fellow
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
DONORS
I am pleased to provide you with the College of Charleston’s 2017 Donor Digest – the last one of my presidency.
It is my hope that all of you feel an immense sense of reward from your giving. It’s important that you know that your charitable acts of kindness profoundly impact our university and transform students’ lives.
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I am so appreciative of your generosity and am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know many of you. You have certainly enriched my life and the lives of our students, faculty and staff. Although my presidency will be ending later this year, rest assured that I will always be a College of Charleston Cougar. As I’ve said many times before, the College of Charleston is in my DNA, and my staunch support and advocacy of the College, as well as my philanthropy to this remarkable world-class university, will never end.
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I’d be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank all of you – our donors. You have shared your passion for the College and inspired numerous members of our campus community, including me. It’s through your collaboration with the College that we were able to complete our BOUNDLESS Campaign; raise nearly $54 million to date in new philanthropic commitments in support of scholarships, faculty positions and academic and athletic programs; grow alumni leadership and participation; and increase private scholarship support to students to help make the university more accessible, diverse and competitive. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your many contributions and for your commitment to the College of Charleston.
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In this issue, you’ll learn more about the power of your philanthropy and how your decision to share with the College has benefited our faculty, staff and students.
Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do for the College of Charleston. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead my alma mater. Sincerely,
Glenn F. McConnell ’69, President
President Glenn F. McConnell ’69
has proudly worn his class ring since
he graduated from the College 49 years ago. Now, as he retires from his role as president, he proudly wears both his original ring and his new ring with the College’s off icial design, adopted in 1995. The class ring displays the seal of the College, which includes Latin phrases that translate to “Wisdom itself is liberty” and “She watches over her buildings, her customs and her laws.”
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BY THE NUMBERS _
In calendar year 2017, donors made the College of Charleston a philanthropic priority in a number of ways. Once again, the College benefited from a year of remarkable giving from alumni, students, parents, friends, corporations and foundations. Thanks to your commitment, your vote of confidence and your generosity, 2017 boasted many significant accomplishments at the College of Charleston.
A N N UA L G I V I N G F U N D S $878 K
$776 K
COUGAR CLUB
CofC FUND AND PARENTS’ FUND
$2.22
MILLION
total cash received
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$566 K OTHER ANNUAL GIVING FUNDS
$1.4M
$6.0M
IN-KIND GIFTS
CASH & STOCK*
$16.4 MILLION
F UNDRAISING S NA P S H O T
total commitments
PLEDGES
$7.7M
$16.4 MILLION
$319K
UNDESIGNATED
$2.1M
ANNUAL GIVING FUNDS
$1.8M
total commitments
FACILITIES
SCHOLARSHIPS
B R E A K D OW N B Y D E S I G NAT I O N
ACADEMIC AND STUDENT ENHANCEMENT
ESTATE INTENTIONS
$5.1M
$4.5M
$3.9M
*Includes estate revenues
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With perfect weather for an outdoor fĂŞte, the 2017 edition of A Charleston Affair was a grand hit. Some 3,500 alumni, graduating students and guests came together to celebrate the end of the semester with food, spirits and plenty of dancing. The action extended all around campus with various food stations and bars peppered around Glebe and George streets. A popular new addition to A Charleston Affair inluded the wine and beer tastings with alumni sommeliers and brewers.
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HAPPENINGS & HIGHLIGHTS 2017 _
Eclipse 2017
August 21 Rivers Green and Blacklock House The College of Charleston hosted the Eclipse Across America festivities on August 21. NASA TV broadcast live national coverage of the total solar eclipse from Rivers Green, where students, faculty and staff took part in various activities. Special educational and interactive displays were showcased in the Addlestone Library. The Division of Institutional Advancement hosted more than 80 guests at the adjacent Blacklock House garden, including Bishop Robert Smith Society donors, alumni and volunteer leaders from the Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, Alumni Association and Cougar Club. This was the first time in 99 years that a total eclipse of the sun was visible across the United States. â?°â?° scenes from the college of charleston eclipse celebration
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HAPPENINGS & HIGHLIGHTS 2017
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April 17 Francis Marion Hotel
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The Donor Societies Reception traditionally celebrates donors recognized in the GOLD Society (young alumni) and 1770 Society ($1,000+ per year). In 2017, Live Oak Society donors (those who give any amount for at least five consecutive years) were celebrated at the reception as well. The spotlight was on the Division of Student Affairs, which is responsible for enriching students’ lives beyond the classroom. student affairs poster president mcconnell, louis weinstein, kenton youngblood and andrea weinstein shay gregory ’18 and malcolm clark daniel cross, suzanne cross, josephine lewis and andrew lewis brady quirk-garvan ‘08, angie quirk-garvan, will breard ’08 and mike patterson ‘08 julie rudolph, howard rudolph and tyler leinbach ➐ betty beatty; school of education, health, and human performance dean fran welch; chloe tonney ’83 and susi beatty ‘86 ➒ guests at the reception ➓ gretta cape, bob cape, allen lyndrup and anne lyndrup
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GOLD Society at A Charleston Affair May 6 Sottile House Garden
Young alumni who are recognized for their giving in the GOLD Society were invited to an exclusive VIP area during A Charleston Affair. Guests could enjoy a few quieter moments in the Sottile House garden while also partaking of the same treats available in the Cistern Yard. We hope to make this an annual gathering!
Spring Commencement May 12-13 Cistern Yard and TD Arena
Spring Commencement proved to be historic for the College’s graduates. Friday’s ceremony was held in the Cistern Yard with picture-perfect weather. Saturday’s rainstorms forced the two ceremonies to move to TD Arena. Faculty, staff, graduates and families made the best of being inside, and they made some unique memories in the process. Honorary degrees were granted to the commencement speakers, Harry and Reba Huge, Kenneth “Mace” Brown, Dr. Eddie Thomas Jr. ’76 (posthumously) and James Felder. Commencement speakers were Dr. Sam Stafford III ’68, Elizabeth ColbertBusch ’79 and John E. Alessi ’98. inset photo: elizabeth colbert-busch ’79 and mace brown with president mcconnell harry huge receiving his honorary degree students at commencement reba huge receiving her honorary degree james felder and john alessi ’98 with president mcconnell
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HAPPENINGS & HIGHLIGHTS 2017
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Bishop Robert Smith Society Reception
September 27 Alumni Memorial Hall
➒ During its third annual reception, the Bishop Robert Smith Society inducted three new members: Noah and Lisa Leask, Gene Reed and William Tate ’66. Additionally, two previously inducted donors were honored at their first reception: Gary Thomas ’83 and Anthony and Bonnie McAlister ’89. The Bishop Robert Smith Society recognizes donors who have made lifetime philanthropic commitments of $1 million or more to benefit the College. Each donor’s name is displayed on the donor walls in Alumni Memorial Hall. honors college dean trisha folds-bennett, gary thomas ’83 and karen jones ‘74 betty beatty, victoria leatherman ’21 and madison mcmormick ‘21 department of music chair edward hart ‘88 and william tate ’66 provost brian mcgee, noah leask, lisa leask and school of business dean alan shao guests toasting new bishop robert smith society honorees president mcconnell, gene reed and sue sommerkresse ➐ anthony and bonnie mcalister ‘89 jean johnson, bryanna wright ’18 and tap johnson guests enjoying the reception
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Athletics Tip-Off Dinner
October 26 McAlister Suite, TD Arena The Cougar Club hosted the Tip-Off Dinner with guest speaker Seth Greenberg, ESPN college basketball broadcaster. The dinner served as a fundraiser for the Athletics Department as well as a prelude to the 2017-18 college basketball season. In addition to the guest speaker, the event featured a live auction. ABC News 4 anchor Dean Stephens emceed the event. inset photo: guests sizing up silent auction items keynote speaker seth greenberg johnnie baxley ’92 and michelle baxley with cameron johnson ‘18 david crowley ’02, athletics director matt roberts and josh atkinson ‘06
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Endowment Donor Reception November 8 Alumni Memorial Hall
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The Endowment Donor Reception celebrated those who have established endowments at the College. Donors were able to meet students and faculty who directly benefit from endowed funds. inset photo: neva gadsden ‘86, elyana crowder ’18 and richard gadsden ‘81 scholarship recipients jabbarrius ervin ’20, emma berry ’18, ebony venson ’18 and madison daniel ’20 school of the arts dean valerie morris, maxx bradley ‘18, omar valencia ‘18 and malcolm clark
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HAPPENINGS & HIGHLIGHTS 2017
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November 17-19 Multiple Locations
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Fall Alumni Weekend kicked off with a wine and cheese reception featuring a tax-reform discussion led by Brett Bluestein ’97 and the grand opening of the Office of Alumni Affairs’ new home in the historic Towell Library.
The fun continued on Saturday with the Lowcountry Alumni Oyster Roast in the Cistern Yard and the Alumni Awards Gala at the Charleston Marriott Hotel. The 2017 honorees include Emily Molony Swanson ’89 and Steve D. Swanson ’89 (Alumni Award of Honor), Stephanie B. Wheeler ’03 (Distinguished Alumna or Alumnus Award), Quentin E. Baxter ’98 (Alumna or Alumnus of the Year Award), Donald F. Schneider ’12 (Young Alumna or Alumnus Award), Bobby R. Creech Jr. ’86 (Howard F. Rudd Jr. Business Person of the Year Award) and Deborah Deas ’78 (Pre-Medical Society’s Outstanding Service Award in Medicine). games on the cistern yard pre-medical society’s outstanding service award in medicine honoree deborah deas ’78 (center) with her daughters fun with clyde the cougar alumni award of honor recipients steve swanson ’89 and emily swanson ’89 receiving congratulations from president mcconnell ➐➒ alumni and friends enjoying the oyster roast alumnus of the year award recipient quentin e. baxter ’98 (photo in center) was represented by his daughter exavia baxter ’15 and friend rachel gordon ’06 amy kinard ‘77, jeff kinard ’77, paul patrick ’04, laura patrick ’04 and president mcconnell
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Winter Commencement December 16 TD Arena
The College granted more than 150 degrees at the winter commencement ceremony. Honorary degrees were given to Dr. H. Biemann Othersen Jr. ’50, Hilton C. Smith Jr. and Catherine Murray Smith. Michelle Asha Cooper ’95 was the commencement speaker.
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catherine smith, h. biemann othersen jr. ‘50, president mcconnell, michelle asha cooper ‘95 and hilton smith jr. students at commencement
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February 18 Alumni Memorial Hall The College recognizes donors who make a philanthropic commitment through their estate plans in the Cistern Society. The guest speaker at the 2017 recognition luncheon was Morgan Koerner, chair of the Department of German and Russian Studies. The student spotlight was Lanie Ruedy ’17. Cistern Society donors receive a commemorative plate the year they are recognized. president mcconnell and hilda debacker brenda stevens ’67, william stevens, sarah lynn gainey ’66 and ken baker david stanton, kate stanton, marie thompson ’89 and nick thompson ‘64; maxcy boineau ’58 and sylvia boineau with president mcconnell hiral patel ’19 and lucy schemel ‘20 president mcconnell and victoria “lanie” ruedy ‘17
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IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS _
The College of Charleston is one of the nation’s best public liberal arts and sciences universities for quality education, student life and affordability. Private philanthropy touches every corner of campus: from student scholarships and faculty research funds to cutting-edge technology and world-class athletics. The impact of your giving reaches across South Carolina and the world. Meet the students, faculty, programs and places impacted by your generosity. 20 | COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
Hoping to engage Charleston and the Lowcountry in actively recognizing and mitigating the enormous plastic pollution in our oceans, the College of Charleston’s Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art collaborated with the South Carolina Aquarium to feature the interdisciplinary works of Aurora Robson and Chris Jordan in the powerful Sea Change exhibit last fall.
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IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS
“Donations don’t all have to be big financial gifts.”
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Sew Giving
CofC Parent Rhonda Whiting Crafts Lasting Gifts We all take a little piece of the College of Charleston with us when we graduate. And when Rhonda Whiting saw all the CofC clothing her daughter Miranda Whiting Lank ’15 brought home upon graduation, she decided to put all those pieces together to make one big College of Charleston quilt. “I did a little Googling to find out how to make a quilt from T-shirts, mashed together a few ideas and made something that my daughter ended up loving,” says Whiting, a loyal annual donor who has been giving to the College of Charleston ever since Miranda’s freshman year in 2011. Making multiple gifts throughout the year in support of various online fundraising drives, Whiting and her husband Bill have supported many areas on campus, including the history department, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Excellence Fund, the Student Emergency Fund, the College of Charleston Fund and the Parents’ Fund. And, as a Cougar Online Ambassador, she has also led the way in encouraging fellow parents to support the College. But it wasn’t until she saw how much her daughter loved that first CofC quilt that she thought of
combining her sewing skills and her dedication to giving back to the College. “I figured I could put this together and maybe it could be used as a fundraiser,” says Whiting, who gave her second quilt to the Annual Giving Office to use as a prize for the student philanthropy organization, Committed to Charleston. “I thought it could be used as a fundraising incentive – to attract students to join.” She was right – in fact, the students loved it so much, Whiting has made another quilt for 2018. “I’m happy that I have found a way to give back using my talent,” says Whiting. “It shows that donations don’t all have to be big financial gifts.” After all, when you have enough little pieces, they add up to something big.
SC HOLARSHIP RECI P I E NT P RO F I L E
Patrick Smith ’19 • York, S.C. Biology Major
The Honorable Alexander M. Sanders, Jr. Scholarship “I am grateful for my donors and their generosity. The educational opportunity that I have had at the College of Charleston has truly made me a better person. I have had the honor of taking classes from many different disciplines, joining several organizations and studying abroad. With the help of my scholarship, I have been able to accomplish more than I could have ever hoped for. Education has always been a huge part of who I am. My scholarship has allowed me to focus on school and enjoy college without the financial burden of loans.”
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IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS
stuart williams
Impact Entrepreneurship Visionary Mentors Students Through New Scholars Program Stuart Williams, impact entrepreneur-in-residence at the College of Charleston School of Business, doesn’t have an off switch. “My brain never shuts down because I’m always thinking about the many things that need to be fixed in the world,” says Williams, founder of In Place Impact. It’s not just the problems of the planet that keep his mind abuzz, it’s their potential solutions. Williams has dedicated most of his professional career to impact entrepreneurship or making a difference through profit-based initiatives. At the School of Business, he has created a program to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. 24 | COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
“There are so many young people who are truly passionate about affecting change in the best way possible,” says Williams. “I want to give as many students as I can the opportunity to make those dreams a reality.” Toward that end, he launched the Stuart and Rebecca Williams Impact Entrepreneurship program to provide
exceptional undergraduate students with the guidance, resources and network to tackle some of the most pressing issues of the 21st o lege f cha ol century. Participants will sharpen their skills through professional development, roundtable dinners, internships and tours of local impact businesses. They will also meet weekly with Williams as well as other mentors and advisers to discuss their respective impact projects. leston Hc ar
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The 2017 Stuart and Rebecca Williams Impact scholars were Latosha Andrade, Mya Belden, Carlie Christenson, Kionnie Epps, Catherine Hill, Sofia Troya and Brandon Williams. The impressive inaugural cohort represents freshmen and juniors from a diverse range of disciplines, including business, public health, political science and criminal justice. Ths students tackle various social and economic issues such as eradicating poverty, improving supply chain sustainability in the coffee industry and ensuring quality primary school education for children. “We owe a great deal to Stuart,” says Alan T. Shao, dean of the School of Business. “His passion for impact studies paired with his commitment to further the strategic goals of this institution have paved the way for our students to become the socially and environmentally responsible business leaders of tomorrow.”
Nurturing Tomorrow Today If you’re on the College of Charleston campus and see a cluster of enthusiastic parents trailed by a collection of high schoolers, chances are the person leading this group is a Charleston 40 tour guide.
The Charleston 40 is the official student tour guide organization at the College. This group shows potential students and their parents the campus while explaining the traditions and history that make the College j. brandon cochran ’04 with his wife cara unique and providing and daughter vivian great insight into the student-life experience in Charleston. Often acting as the frontline for admissions, these students juggle their academic studies and extracurricular activities with their desire to help the College impress prospective students. Being a Charleston 40 guide was so integral to the CofC experience for J. “Brandon” Cochran ’04 that the communication/business administration double major established an endowed scholarship to pay it forward. The scholarship supports communication majors in need of financial assistance, with a preference for Charleston 40 students. For Cochran, it is a lasting tribute to both his CofC experience and his respect for Beth Goodier, former chair of the Department of Communication. “Between team or individual projects or class discussions, Dr. Goodier expected your best and encouraged you to share your voice,” says Cochran. “She was, and still is, dedicated to helping her students bring their best every day.” Upon graduating, Cochran earned his MBA from Charleston Southern University and is now a major gifts officer at Furman University. When going through the estate-planning process to prepare for their expanding family, he and his wife Cara found it easy to include a planned gift to the College of Charleston and step forward as leadership donors. The Cochrans have two daughters, Vivian and Georgia, and live in Greenville, S.C. 2017 DONOR DIGEST
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IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS
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An Immersion in Sustainability at the Halsey Institute The College of Charleston has recently formalized its campuswide commitment to sustainability. In that vein, many of today’s artists, researchers and activists have started to recognize the dire effects of man-made materials on the planet. In a word, that’s plastics. In the name of sustainability and raising awareness of the plasticwaste problem, a philanthropy-powered, art-centric partnership between the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston and the South Carolina Aquarium recently turned heads – and opened minds – throughout the city.
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Sea Change was a series of exhibitions and programs presented to raise awareness of our enormous plastic waste and its detrimental effects on our planet. The program hinged upon two exhibitions at the Halsey Institute, “Aurora Robson: The Tide Is High” and “Chris Jordan: Midway.” Jordan’s breathtaking imagery underscores the monumental effects of plastic waste on distant ecosystems, documenting that which has washed up on Midway Island’s shore. Robson’s work, in which reclaimed plastics are formed into ethereal sculpture, focuses on strategies for intercepting the waste stream and upcycling discarded plastics into new objects. In addition to the Halsey exhibits, Robson’s piece was exhibited at the South Carolina Aquarium. The two artists also gave public lectures about their work, and Jordan’s film, Albatross, premiered at Charleston Music Hall.
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“The Sea Change exhibition was a powerful partnership opportunity for the Halsey Institute,” says Mark Sloan, director and senior curator of the Halsey, noting how it enabled the College to join forces with the South Carolina Aquarium, as well as many on- and offcampus organizations. “We were able to present not only important and socially relevant works of art, but programming resources to help our community learn about the issue of ocean plastic,” says Sloan. “This project as a whole is a shining example of the impact the arts can have on shifting human consciousness and conversation.”
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the halsey’s mark sloan greets gallery patrons artist chris jordan with an example of his work patrons interact with aurora robson’s work artist robson and her team work to install sea change art patrons at the halsey jordan speaking on his work
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IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS
jonathan martin, brad banias ’03 and chelsea banias; guests at butcher & bee; david hay ’81, mariana hay ’82 and school of professional studies dean godfrey gibbison
Honors Celebrates 50 Years at CofC In September 1967, the College of Charleston designed a new course of study to support highly motivated and intellectually driven students. The bulletin for the academic year 1967-68 described the Honors Program as “a new course of study designed to attract superior students irrespective of their departmental majors and to guide them toward a fuller, more substantial liberal arts education.” That year, 26 students enrolled in the six courses that made up the new College of Charleston Honors Program. As the College grew, so did the Honors Program. Not only did it evolve from an Honors Program to an Honors College, it also grew from just a couple dozen students to almost 700 students from across the nation and around the world. As a result of educational and professional development opportunities made available by the Honors College, alumni and current students have achieved success in a wide variety of fields. In fact, two Honors College alumni – Steve Swanson ’89 and Stephanie Wheeler ’03 – were honored for their achievements at the 2017 Alumni Awards Reception and Gala. To celebrate the Honors College’s 50th anniversary, a series of events were hosted to engage and recognize 28 | COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
notable alumni. Several CofC Honors alumni served as guest lecturers or speakers in classes and events. The Honors College bookended its 50th anniversary celebration with an alumni social during the 2017 Fall Alumni Weekend and A Celebration of Honors, hosted at Butcher & Bee, a restaurant owned by CofC Honors alumnus Michael Shemtov ’00. More than 100 CofC Honors alumni, faculty, staff, donors and members of the senior class attended A Celebration of Honors. Honors College Dean Trisha Folds-Bennett spoke to guests and reflected on the accomplishments of the first 50 years of the Honors College and discussed the vision and goals for the years to come. Thanks to the support of event sponsors and a silent auction, the event raised more than $7,500 for Honors College scholarships and student programming.
AWARD AIMS TO CATALYZE ACADEMIC SUCCESS
wayne smith, brian mcgee, ray cohen, alan shao and president mcconnell
New Fellowship to Bring Business Plans to Life Ray Cohen, co-founder of the cloud-based hotel solutions platform TravelClick, sat in on a business plan pitch competition for the School of Business Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTMT). He found the participants’ passion impressive but was surprised that, while each of the undergraduates had a strategy for launching their enterprise, no one actually planned to do it. After questioning the young innovators, Cohen realized their reluctance was due to a lack of postgraduate resources. Determined to give these go-getters a chance to pursue their dreams, Cohen worked with School of Business and HTMT leadership to establish the Innovators Fellowship. The fellowship is designed to give young entrepreneurs in the HTMT department guidance as they conceptualize, pitch and execute a service-based business throughout their senior year. In order to be eligible, students must compete against their peers and fulfill rigorous course requirements, including the final, summer course that disburses the grant funding to cover their living and startup costs, thus allowing them to concentrate fully on executing their finished business plans. Throughout the entire experience, fellows will have access to a large network of local business professionals who will not only serve as mentors, but as constant reminders of what can happen when you work hard, stay focused and follow your dreams. “Programs like this give our undergraduates the tools and support to forge their own futures,” says Wayne Smith, chair of the HTMT department and associate professor of hospitality. “We are proud to be a part of it.”
A former chemistry major and longtime supporter of the College of Charleston, Angela Lindner ’83 has created many opportunities for chemistry students at the College of Charleston. Most recently, she pledged a total of $10,000 to establish the annual, non-endowed Chemistry Catalyst Award fund. Recipients are chemistry/biochemistry majors who are chosen based on financial need and merit. The fund was inspired by the microgrant fund for undergraduate students at the University of Florida, where Lindner is the associate provost for undergraduate affairs. “In my work at UF with undergraduate students for the past 20 years, I have observed that many students are forced to leave UF because of financial concerns. A surprising number of these students needed a relatively small amount of funding just to cover a month’s worth of rent, the cost of books, gas for their car or food. Relatively small emergency funding needs can trip students into a downward spiral that is difficult for them to escape,” says Lindner, noting that, within two years of UF launching its micro-grant program, nearly 350 students have been assisted by grants ranging from $10 to $1,000 – and all of them have graduated on time as a result. That’s why she wants to make a similar program at the College of Charleston. “My hope is that having funds of this nature available to students will give them peace of mind, will increase their engagement with their chemistry faculty and advisers and will ultimately enable them to graduate on time,” says Lindner. “I also hope that this fund will grow over time and possibly provide encouragement for other programs to establish their own fund for their majors.”
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The College of Charleston’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) represents a partnership between Google, the College’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture and numerous community partners. To further its goal of fostering honest exchange about race and social justice, RSJI hosts national leaders on the topic, including National Book Award winner Ta-Nehisi Coates, who spoke about race in America while at the College’s TD Arena.
IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS
“I wanted to contribute to the national and international prominence of Charleston.”
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Noah Leask
Tech Entrepreneur Makes a Future Investment Giving back has long been a priority for Noah Thomas Leask and his wife Lisa. And now the Charleston-based couple is giving on behalf of the College of Charleston. “On our way up, we believed that as you could give, you give,” says Leask. “We’ve always done that.” The Leasks’ gift of $1.92 million will support the newly created Noah Thomas Leask Distinguished Professorship in Information Management and Innovation. This endowed professorship is enabling the College of Charleston to create a position in the School of Business that both attracts and develops top technology talent. Leask himself knows quite a bit about information management and innovation. As co-founder and chairman of Charleston-based ISHPI Information Technologies Inc., he helped establish a cybersecurity firm that has landed on Inc. magazine’s annual list of the country’s fastest-growing businesses for the past seven years. When the Leasks relocated from Washington, D.C., to Lisa’s hometown of Charleston, they discovered the College of Charleston by way of their daughter’s participation in the College’s REACH program, which supports students with special needs. That, however, was
just the beginning. The Michigan native is particularly taken with his adoptive city’s startup scene and is keen to support technology-driven economic development. “I wanted to contribute to the national and international prominence of Charleston,” says Leask, who also aims to support the IT industry and the software companies that account for Charleston’s rising status as a technology hub. To do so, Leask determined that the School of Business offered the most efficient, effective place to bolster technology entrepreneurism at the college level – and thereby elevate the technology sector throughout the city. Leask also wants to create opportunities for the socioeconomically disadvantaged. The Noah Thomas Leask Distinguished Professorship in Information Management and Innovation will enable the College to further opportunities in the field of technology, which was transformative in his own career trajectory. “If we do this right,” says Leask, “we’ll be producing not just job-ready, but job-dominating students.”
SC HOLARSHIP RECI P I E NT P RO F I L E
Loren Brown ’18 • North Charleston, S.C. Hospitality and Tourism Management and Business Administration Double Major College of Charleston Foundation Scholarship William Withers Walker Memorial Scholarship
“My donors’ generosity has allowed me to focus my attention on my studies. Because of their support, the weight of having to pay for my entire tuition has been lifted off my shoulders. I have been able to stay on track in my studies, and I plan to graduate this May with the highest honors. I will be graduating college at 19 years old, with no debt!”
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keynote speaker micheal golz, german and russian studies chair morgan koerner and panelist mathias boehmisch
The German-American Connection South Carolina has many famed attributes, from balmy climes to impressive architecture. But did you know it also claims the nation’s strongest presence of German businesses? According to the South Carolina Department of Commerce, more than 160 German companies directly employ 32,000+ South Carolinians. Per capita, South Carolina receives more investment funds and secures the most jobs from German industry of any state in the country. “The presence of German-American businesses in South Carolina is truly astonishing, and something we can all be very proud of,” says Morgan Koerner, chair of the Department of German and Russian Studies and associate professor of German at the College. 34 | COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
With this in mind, the College of Charleston conceived the German-American Business Summit, a campus partnership between the School of Business, the Career Center and the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs. The one-day annual conference aims to address issues facing the German-American business community. After the success of the inaugural conference in 2017, the 2018 event benefited from the generous support of reception sponsor Mercedes-Benz Vans, among several other sponsors. It launched with a job and intern
“We created the summit to provide a space for companies to interact with one another but also with the College of Charleston,” says Koerner. In doing so, the College endeavors to better understand the companies’ needs and to create better job pipelines for College of Charleston students.
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The 2018 keynote speaker Michael Golz, CIO of Americas SAP, presented “Digital Innovation in 21st Century Industry,” which was followed by a panel discussion exploring innovation. Featured panelists included Mathias Boehmisch, IT senior manager and information officer, Mercedes-Benz Vans Ludwidsfelde & Charleston; Vincent Halma, president and CEO, KION North America; Shane Porzio, vice president, global business management Kaolin, BASF; and Carolin Wolfsdörfer, vice president of operations, ZF Transmissions Gray Court.
The family of Dr. Edward “Eddie” Thomas Jr. ’76, a former College of Charleston Board of Trustees (BOT) member, established an endowed scholarship in his memory to provide financial assistance to science students. Thomas was a well-known dentist in Anderson, S.C., for nearly four decades and, as a member of the BOT, was committed to ensuring that students had enriching educational experiences. His wife Susan believes that the scholarship – set up to benefit students with an interest in a traditional science-based major and the intention to pursue a dr. edward thomas jr. healthcare career with an emphasis on patient engagement – will help perpetuate Thomas’ life and legacy at the College.
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Participating companies included BLG Logistics, BMW of North America, Bosch, Dachser USA, groninger USA, Hubner, KION North America, Kuehne + Nagel, MAU Workforce Solutions, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Rick Hendrick BMW, Rodl & Partner, Stobich and ZF.
Family Establishes Scholarship in Memory of Alumnus and Former Trustee
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expo, offering students the opportunity to interact with representatives from companies seeking to recruit.
“When Eddie was elected to his second term on the Board of Trustees, he began talking about a way to give back to CofC. He came up with many ideas, but a scholarship seemed to be at the top of his list,” says Susan Thomas. “When he passed away unexpectedly, we felt it was important that his dream become a reality. We hope that our gift will impact many families’ lives for the better like he did while he was here.”
Born in Abbeville, S.C., Thomas graduated cum laude from the College of Charleston in 1976 with a bachelor of science in chemistry. He matriculated to the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine and earned the doctor of dental medicine degree. He went on to open Edward L. Thomas, Jr. D.M.D. Family Dentistry in Anderson in 1980. He was a member of the South Carolina Dental Association, the Tri-County Dental Association, the Anderson Better Business Bureau and the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce. Thomas was a passionate advocate for the College of Charleston. He was appointed to the BOT in 2013 and always demonstrated a strong desire to see the College reach even greater heights. At the time of his death in 2016, Thomas was serving his second term on the BOT.
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RSJI Provides Ongoing Opportunities for Dialogue The mission of the Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) at the College of Charleston is to promote public awareness and dialogue about race and social justice issues in the Charleston area, the state of South Carolina and beyond. This is a collaborative effort led by the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, the Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library, the African American Studies Program and the Lowcountry Digital History Initiative, and includes multiple community partners. In June 2015, the College received its first major grant from Google to launch the RSJI in response to tragic events in the Charleston area, including the shooting death of Walter Scott and the mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church. With this support and an additional grant from Google in 2017, RSJI works with numerous partners at the College, in the community and throughout the tri-county area to facilitate public events, exhibitions and various projects that promote awareness of the past and ongoing struggles of racial injustice. Building on the strengths of the College of Charleston and its partnerships with community funders and organizations, the RSJI brings to bear the increasingly important issues that the world faces and must understand in order to advance society. RSJI has made significant opportunities for renowned speakers to share their insights with the community and for public programming and outreach initiatives to help enrich the dialogue around important social issues. Such programs and initiatives include:
• A Conversation with Marian Wright Edelman, Author and President of the Children’s Defense Fund • Community Forum: Ties That Bind Two Holy Cities: Reflections in Charleston by the Survivors of the 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing • A Deeper Black: Race in America, with Ta-Nehisi Coates, Journalist and Author
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• Forms and Motifs in African Art: Works From the Avery Research Center’s John R. Dupree Collection • Conference: Transforming Public History From Charleston to the Atlantic World, with keynote lecture by Lonnie G. Bunch III, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum for African American History and Culture • Charleston County Racial Disparities Report
“The Race and Social Justice Initiative is uniquely positioned in Charleston, to lead advocacy efforts and establish collaborative partner networks that promote equality in the Lowcountry region and beyond,” says Patricia Williams Lessane, executive director of the Avery Research Center. “Through ongoing support, RSJI programming, outreach and educational resources will empower local leaders and community organizations to establish strategies for long-term, systematic transformation with historic and ongoing race and social justice issues. Ultimately, RSJI will serve as a groundbreaking model for ‘changing the narrative’ at a critical time in the history of Charleston and the nation.” inset photo: ta-nahesi coates guests at the ta-nahesi coates lecture in td arena patricia williams-lessane interviewing ta-nahesi coates marian wright edelman st. stephens elementary students visiting avery for the race and social justice workshop student conversation with ta-nahesi coates margie morse, leo williams iii, gertrude “duchess” wooten, vicki davis-williams and john rivers jr.
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DONOR GROWS OPPORTUNITIES IN HOLOCAUST EDUCATION Thanks to the support of donor Arnold Nemirow (pictured), a new generation of scholars will have the resources needed to conduct original research into the human tragedy we call the Holocaust. The Nemirow Fund for Holocaust Studies will help fund classes at the College, travel and mentorship opportunities abroad and presentations of original works by students and professors at meetings, conferences, workshops and symposia. In partnership with the Zucker/Goldberg Center for Holocaust Studies, the Nemirow Fund will enable the College of Charleston to strengthen its role as a leader in the field of Holocaust education. “Holocaust education has become a core offering of the Jewish studies program,” says Martin Perlmutter, director of Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program at the College of Charleston. “We are deeply appreciative of this gift, in particular because it directly benefits students.” Holocaust studies at the College features a travel component to Eastern Europe, as well as internship opportunities for students in Amsterdam, Eastern Europe and U.S. Holocaust museums. A native of Hartford, Ct., and child of Ukrainian immigrants, Nemirow is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Michigan Law School. The former chairman, president and CEO of Bowater Inc., a major pulp and paper manufacturer, Nemirow also served as chair of The Nature Conservancy’s South Carolina chapter. A lifelong student of history, he established the Nemirow Endowed Fund for Holocaust Studies to foster research, travel and, ultimately, greater hands-on involvement of students and teachers in the task of bringing the full story of the Holocaust to light.
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Cougars Take a Swipe at Hunger Food insecurity is a growing problem facing college students across the country. But the success of the College’s fall 2017 Swipe Away Student Hunger campaign has helped close the gap for CofC students who may be worried about going without a meal. A philanthropic effort run by the College’s Student Alumni Associates (SAA), Swipe Away Student Hunger collects monetary donations and unused Dining Dollars to help students facing hunger issues. Last fall, the campaign raised $8,975 in monetary donations from alumni, parents and students, and 6,954 in donated meal swipes (a dollar value of more than $52,000). “While the dollar figures are phenomenal, it should be noted that more than 1,400 students made donations of cash and/or meal swipes, which shows tremendous engagement for this cause,” says Ann Pryor ’83, vice president of Alumni Affairs, noting that – according to the Charleston Youth Count 2017 study conducted by the College’s Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities – about 30 percent of CofC students are food insecure and need help with nutrition. “The students who benefit from this are wonderful students who have come up on something unexpected,” says Alicia Caudill, executive vice president for the Division of Student Affairs, adding that any student without access to adequate food can apply for food assistance through the Office of the Dean of Students. “This program allows us to eliminate a barrier within our control that helps students continue their education.” “You can’t perform well in school if you’re hungry,” agrees SAA Treasurer Adezha Eison. “Something seemingly so small can make a big impact.”
donor linda ketner (far right) and her ketner scholars with president mcconnell. ketner scholars dedicate at least 34 hours per semester to activism and are interested in women’s and gender studies as well as social justice, public service and civil leadership
Ketner Emerging Leaders Work for a Better Future A unique scholarship program at the College of Charleston is helping a group of highachieving young women develop leadership skills and advocate for important community causes and social issues. Established by businesswoman, community leader and philanthropist Linda Ketner, the Ketner Emerging Leaders scholarships provide financial assistance to students interested in women’s and gender studies as well as social justice, public service and civil leadership. Ketner hopes to inspire students to become agents of change through public service and community engagement, just as she has done throughout her career. Ketner, president of KSI Corporation and a Democratic candidate for Congress in 2008, has served as board president of the Coastal Community Foundation and One-Eighty Place. She is the founder and chair of the Mayor’s Council on Homelessness and Affordable Housing and the S.C. Housing Trust Fund,
a co-founder of S.C. Citizens for Housing and founder and past president of the Alliance for Full Acceptance and the S.C. Equality Coalition. Ketner is a former member of the College’s Women’s and Gender Studies Community Advisory Board and currently serves on the President’s Community Advisory Board. “I hope the Ketner Scholars will not simply volunteer, but be change agents,” she says. “Good ideas really are a dime a dozen. Much more rare and of value are individuals who take action to implement good ideas. My hope is that the scholarships reward and encourage students who think deeply, think long-term, think inclusively and then take action on behalf of a better community, state and world.” 2017 DONOR DIGEST
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The College of Charleston Sailing Program continued to breeze past the competition – and exemplify Cougar spirit – when it hosted the 2017 LaserPerformance College Sailing Team Race National Championship in the Charleston Harbor. There, the Cougars captured the Walter C. Wood Trophy.
IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS
“I realized a scholarship is more than a means to an end: It is an opportunity to discover more.”
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Megan Dunham
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Philanthropy Fuels Journey: One Student’s Story When she first stepped on the College of Charleston campus, Meagan Dunham ’17 was a nervous freshman. As the first person in her family to attend college, she felt pressure to help ease the financial burden of paying for her degree.
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“For the first two weeks on campus, I couldn’t focus on classes,” she says. “I was so stressed out about finances, I couldn’t still my mind enough to read my syllabi.” Fortunately, she was able to supplement her Pell Grant and LIFE Scholarship with private funding, including a four-year Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship and a Hibernian Society Scholarship for her junior and senior years. “Those two scholarships changed everything,” says Dunham, who was also awarded the Rudolph Cantzater Scholarship. “One minute I was worrying about paying for books and trying to figure out how to fit in jobs, and the next all I had to worry about was my education. It took so much stress off of me. I was able to focus on what is important: my education and my classes.” And that’s exactly what she did. The public health major not only excelled in her coursework, but held
a prestigious internship at the Medical University of South Carolina; received the Outstanding Student of the Year Award from the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance; and mentored students with the Office of Multicultural Student Programs and Services for the Mentoring Matters initiative. “I realized a scholarship is more than a means to an end: It is an opportunity to discover more,” says Dunham, who became the face of the BOUNDLESS Campaign when she was a sophomore. That role came full circle when she spoke at the campaign’s concluding celebration during her senior year. “That was a groundbreaking moment for me. The impact I was making finally hit me,” says Dunham, now a master of science in health informatics candidate at the University of South Florida. “I realized I can go as far as I want to go and accomplish whatever I put my mind to.”
SC HOLARSHIP RECI P I E NT P RO F I L E
Maria Carrillo-Marquina ’18 • Charleston, S.C. Arts Management and Art History Double Major Albert Simons Memorial Scholarship
“I want to thank my donors for supporting me. After I graduate, I want to get my Ph.D. in Latin American art history and would like to pursue an academic career and become a professor. Both of my parents are professors, and I just fell in love with the College and knew it was a good choice for me. I’ve been interning at the Gibbes Museum of Art, and it has been a very exciting experience for me so far. I’ve been able to work with the Pan American Modernism exhibit, which ignited my passion for Latin American art. Because of my donors’ generosity, I’ve been able to pursue these passions.”
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402 Scholarship Celebrates College Lodge’s Impact on One Alumna’s Life It’s not on the National Register of Historic Places. It wasn’t built or owned by some prominent 19th-century Charlestonian. It doesn’t lay claim to any state-of-the-art, student-focused attributes. In fact, it was never even intended for students. In many ways, it’s the College’s architectural and aesthetic black sheep. But for the thousands of students who’ve called it home, there’s no place quite like College Lodge. This sentiment certainly holds true for Kristen Faretra Bowden ’95, who lived in College Lodge for four of her five years as a CofC student. Many of Bowden’s best memories at the College of Charleston involve College Lodge. That’s why she and her husband Greg created the 402 Scholarship in celebration of this unique campus structure. The scholarship honors Kristen’s old room number: 402. The Bowdens hope that the scholarship not only acknowledges the important role College Lodge played
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in Kristen’s student experience, but also helps deserving students. As the first scholarship in the College’s history to support students in a particular residence hall, the Bowdens’ gift is proof that philanthropy can be fun. “We are so excited to have our first residential scholarship, and it doesn’t surprise me that it is for College Lodge,” says Melantha Ardrey ’02, director of residence life. “As long as I’ve been here, College Lodge has had a wonderfully passionate and tightknit community. It’s exactly what we want to see in a
Medaling in Excellence Giving at the College comes in all shapes and colors. For proud alumnus Steve Fowler, M.D. ’60 (at left with wife Dona), it takes the form of a circle – and boasts a hue of burnished gold. o lege f cha ol
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Sure, College Lodge is still a little at odds with the rest of the buildings on campus, but residents past and present agree there is no place like The Lodge. And, thanks to the Bowdens, this quirky residence hall can also lay claim to the one and only residential hall scholarship at the College of Charleston.
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residence hall – a place that fosters student growth inside and outside of the classroom, a place where students become a part of a community, a place for students to call home.”
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the college lodge facade has changed throughout the years, ending with an original shepard fairey mural (opposite)
Fowler is the 1959 recipient of the College’s Alumni Medal, the highest academic award given by the Alumni Association. And he has now given his medal back to the College.
The medal, which was first presented at the 1899 commencement ceremony, is awarded to the graduating senior with the highest academic honors at the end of his or her junior year. It will be on display at the Alumni Affairs office, now housed in Towell Library.
It’s really a homecoming for the medal, considering Fowler’s relationship with Edward Towell, a chemistry professor and the library’s namesake. Fowler served as Towell’s lab assistant for two years.
“Dr. Towell was a professional chemist, and he was my mentor,” says Fowler. His mentor even weighed in on his chances at winning the medal, cautioning Fowler that his large course load of labs and mathematics presented a particular challenge.
“I said, ‘Well, don’t bet against me,’” recalls Fowler. “He said, ‘I’d never bet against you.’”
After leaving the College, Fowler graduated with honors from the Medical College of Virginia and returned to his hometown of Lake City, S.C., where he practiced medicine for more than 50 years.
“My descendants will come and look at it,” he says of the Alumni Medal. And he’s pretty sure he’ll be going to Towell to look at it on occasion, too. 2017 DONOR DIGEST
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Powering the Sailing Team One of the most beautiful signs of the power of philanthropy is the luster of a championship trophy. And when that hard-won trophy is taken in the extremely competitive field of collegiate sailing, it shines all the brighter. Last year in the Charleston Harbor, the College of Charleston’s sailing team upset four-time defending champion Yale en route to its second-ever team race national title. Breezing past Georgetown and Boston College before emerging victorious over Yale, the top contender Cougars (having four consecutive titles), captured the Walter C. Wood Trophy in the LaserPerformance College Sailing Team Race National Championship. When it comes to taking top honors, the connection to giving is as straight as a center mast. After all, the College consistently attracts the country’s top talent by offering resources like its stateof-the-art Laser fleet – along with the funds to maintain those vessels. “I’m super proud of the team for such an amazing accomplishment,” says assistant sailing coach Ward Cromwell. “It is the hardest national championship to win in college sailing.” chloe dapp ’17, jack cusick ’17 and seniors grace mccarthy and stefano peschiera celebrate their win
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IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS
emily remington, president mcconnell and dr. billy tate at the bishop robert smith society reception o lege f cha ol
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Gift Is Music to the Ears William E. Tate, M.D. ’66 has established a $1.14 million endowed fund for the College of Charleston International Piano Series and piano program.
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From those first notes sounding from Charleston performance halls and reverberating around the world, Tate has been there. “I have had the opportunity to watch Charleston and the College grow into music destinations,” says the classical music lover and retired dermatologist. Tate has supported Charleston’s local music scene since it achieved national prominence four decades ago, when Spoleto Festival USA forever transformed the city’s artistic landscape in 1977. He continues to do so – now by way of a gift of $1.14 million to the College of Charleston. The new William Tate, M.D. International Piano Series Endowed Fund will support the College’s renowned piano program, which uplifts students, the campus community and Charleston music lovers alike by presenting both talented students and prestigious guest performers each year. The annual College of Charleston International Piano Series hosts four world-class guest artists, who each perform a concert. In addition, the College holds master classes for students who play for and are coached by the concert pianists. 48 | COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
Featured guests have included pianists Leon Fleisher, Yuja Wang and Anne-Marie McDermott. Tate’s newly established endowment will continue his support for the International Piano Series and all College of Charleston piano programs, including awards for piano students along with equipment acquisition and maintenance. Tate previously established the Emily Remington Master Artists Series Endowment, which also enables the College to host musicians and teachers for concerts and classes every year. “We are profoundly grateful for the generosity of our longtime friend, Billy Tate,” says Edward Hart ’88, chair of the College’s music department. “Through his generous support, we will continue the momentum of our acclaimed piano series, which has provided both students and the greater community with an unparalleled arena to experience and study world-class piano.” “I have enjoyed many fabulous concerts at the College of Charleston, and I look forward to many more,” says Tate. “Now the superior quality of music offered in our great city will span generations.”
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COFC FUND DONORS ENABLE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
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cofc fund scholarship recipient hannah manzi ‘18
students from johns island at camp inspire
Nature-Inspired Nurturing Last summer, 20 rising third- and fourth-graders from Title I schools in Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island, S.C., attended a camp like no other. Created by faculty in the College’s School of Education, Health, and Human Performance, Camp Inspire provides an arts basedenvironmental program for elementary schoolchildren. Run by Tracey Hunter-Doniger, assistant professor of teacher education at the College, with pilot-year funding from the Kiawah Island– based nonprofit Arts, Etc., the camp was inspired by the Forest Schools of Germany and Denmark. Here, however, it takes place at the College of Charleston’s environmental campus on the Stono River. Children spent the majority of their time exploring hiking trails and waterways. The young participants stretched and explored ideas that were interesting to them as they learned to reach beyond their capacity, explore playfully and embrace the opportunity to learn from mistakes. During the weeklong camp, members of Arts, Etc. visited the camp to see the children in action. Attendees thoroughly enjoyed talking with the children while they worked on an art project inspired by their natural surroundings. In 2018, the College hopes to secure funding to double the number of Camp Inspire participants.
Kate Tierney ’89 and her wife Kara Powis may reside in San Mateo, Ca., but they are creating a lasting impact on the other side of the country as leadershiplevel donors to the College of Charleston Fund.
“When Kara and I had the chance to give back to the College of Charleston, we thought nothing would be better than supporting the CofC Fund and the scholarship it provides,” says Tierney, president of Alter Eco Americas Inc. She began her 25-year career in the natural products industry after graduating from the College’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences with a degree in political science and minor in international relations. “Coming from a family of eight kids, I was so lucky that my parents favored education above all. They helped all of us get a chance to go to college. Since Kara and I do not have any children, we wanted to offer what we could to help others. We are so proud to be supporting the College of Charleston Fund Scholars Program.” Tierney and Powis provide financial and mentoring support to Hannah Manzi ’18, an Honors College public health major from Mount Pleasant, S.C., who plans to attend medical school after graduation. Manzi – who is in the same CofC class as Tierney’s niece Abigail Tierney ’18 – is training to be an EMT, serves on the Women’s Health Research Team and serves as community service chair in the Honors Student Association. Tierney and Powis believe in the power of philanthropy and empowering young, female leaders on campus and within the Lowcountry community.
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The historic Sottile Theatre remains a treasured cultural venue on the College campus. It may have turned 90 years old last year, but there is still much to anticipate on that storied stage. Thanks to the power of philanthropy, the College of Charleston is primed for the historic theater’s next phase of refurbishment.
IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS
“My role here is to help alumni realize how much they love this school and how much they took away from it.”
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A True Maroon
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Karen Burroughs Jones ’74 has long been the pint-sized powerhouse behind the College’s Alumni Association Scholarships – engaging alumni and encouraging them to give back through scholarships ever since she joined Alumni Affairs in 1991. It still took her by surprise, however, to learn that she was also the name in front of one of those scholarships. At its June 2017 meeting, the Alumni Association Board announced that it had committed $25,000 and challenged alumni to match that number to establish the Karen Burroughs Jones ’74 Alumni Scholarship. And, in a testament to alumni’s admiration of Jones, the scholarship had the funds to be endowed by the end of September.
parents who have established scholarships through the Alumni Scholarship Program. The donors who establish scholarships are doing so out of love for the College and a strong desire to help others through education – I simply assist them in making that dream come true for both the donors and a new generation of students. It is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.”
“This is something I really believe in and have worked hard to expand, so I’m incredibly honored and grateful that they would name this for me,” says Jones, director of communications of Alumni Affairs and executive secretary for the Alumni Association. She adds that the scholarship is no different from any of the other Alumni Association Scholarships offered since 1961 in that it’s available to undergraduates with leadership potential and is renewable for up to three years. “It has been my privilege to work with alumni, friends and
Jones’ drive to encourage alumni involvement and giving – whether to the scholarship in her name or to one of their own making – is still going strong. “My role here is to help alumni realize how much they love this school and how much they took away from it, and to show them how they can share that College of Charleston experience with a new generation of students,” she says. After all, some things never change.
SC HOLARSHIP RECI P I E NT P RO F I L E
Mackenzie Schaich ’19 • Milton, Ga. Data Science and Economics Double Major Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarship Charles and Mary Pratt Edmondston Scholarship
“My scholarships have benefited me immensely by allowing me to attend an out-of-state school that has bolstered my academic and career goals. As a student at the College, I continue to seek degrees in both data science and economics. I plan to graduate next May and begin a career in data analytics. The opportunities that CofC has presented me with are endless – I tutor peers in computer science and I am also studying abroad in England! CofC has provided me with a challenging yet supportive environment that has allowed me to develop as a student and an individual. I cannot thank my donors enough for their support.”
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Spotlight on Sottile’s 90th The Sottile Theatre may have proudly marked its 90-year anniversary last year, but there is still much to anticipate on its storied stage. The College of Charleston is primed for the historic theater’s next phase of refurbishment, thanks to the power of philanthropy. If the once-ornate walls of the College of Charleston Sottile Theatre could talk, they would no doubt share stories of the venue’s early days wowing local audiences with entertainment offerings and physical grandeur. Those walls might recount the buzz surrounding the arrival of touring vaudeville stars or the premieres for famed films like the 1939 Gone With the Wind. More than 90 years ago, on August 20, 1927, Albert Sottile, president of Pastime Amusement Company, opened the doors of the Gloria Theatre, a 2,000seat venue topped off with an impressive marquee that lit up surrounding King Street. The largest of 54 | COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
its kind in South Carolina, the Gloria gathered Charlestonians to enjoy the razzle-dazzle of stage and screen amidst its architectural majesty for decades. A year after the Gloria closed in 1975, the theater was acquired by the College of Charleston. In 1990 it reopened as the Sottile Theatre, complete with modern heating, air conditioning, an expanded stage apron and, later, a two-story wing with expanded dressing rooms and scenery storage. Now, thanks in large part to a grant from the Spaulding Paolozzi Foundation, the next phase of the theater’s renovation will entail enlarging and fully
herbert rosner holds a painting of himself and his late wife and scholarship inspiration, jean s. rosner
Jewish Studies Scholarship Honors Former Educator Now more than ever, the College of Charleston’s Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program is primed to attract the best and brightest students, thanks to the generosity of Herbert Rosner and the late Jean Rosner.
modernizing the stage with a new rigging system, thereby ensuring that students and Charleston residents alike can create and partake in transformative productions intended for a mediumsized theater space. At 91 strong, the Sottile’s best years are yet to come. And there is arguably no better way to commemorate this campus jewel than updating it for a new cultural era.
Created by Herbert Rosner in the name of his late wife, the Jean S. Rosner Endowed Scholarship is one of 20 scholarships in the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program for which the College of Charleston has made a commitment to match, and the first matched scholarship to be awarded to a student. “This scholarship greatly broadens the College’s ability to appeal to exceptional students across the nation,” says Helen Slucki, associate director for Jewish studies admissions and executive director of the Jewish Student Union/Hillel. The Jean S. Rosner Endowed Scholarship honors the Charleston native and educator who taught kindergarten for more than 30 years in the Charleston County School District, as well as elementary school in Detroit, Mich., where she and her husband first met. Jean Rosner was also deeply involved in her synagogue and Jewish organizations. She served as past president of the Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue sisterhood and as a member of Hadassah and the Council of Jewish Women. “Through the scholarship, the Rosners will realize their shared wish to nurture future generations of students, and we are grateful not only for their generosity, but also their vision,” says Slucki. 2017 DONOR DIGEST
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SCHOLARSHIP MEMORIALIZES PASSION FOR PHILOSOPHY It has been 11 years since Tomo Cook passed away, but his legacy lives on through a scholarship in his name. The Cook family established the Tomo Cook Scholarship to celebrate the life of the philosophy major at the College of Charleston, who passed away in 2007. The renewable award is available to philosophy majors who have completed at least four courses in the major and share Tomo’s passion for the subject. “For me, the Tomo Cook Scholarship has been about following in the legacy of Tomo Cook. He is remembered as inspired and passionate, challenging the boundaries of what our ideas might be and become,” says senior Madeline Leibin, a 2017 recipient. “I’ve sought to continue in that spirit, from active engagement in classroom discussions to deeper conceptual deliberations in my bachelor’s essay work. In all of these endeavors, I’ve been encouraged to always hold the logical outputs accountable to the lived human experience. To put it in other words: The scholarship has pushed me to make my philosophizing meaningful.” The scholarship has a lot of practical meaning for 2017 recipient Andre Vanparys, too. “For me, the savings in tuition have gone directly toward application fees for the various M.A. and Ph.D. programs I have applied to. In addition to the financial award, the prestige of receiving the scholarship is also helpful in terms of signaling to graduate programs that I have a strong passion for and commitment to philosophy,” says the senior. “Of course, I know that I am passionate about philosophy, and I can personally try to convey that to graduate programs, but it is helpful when that passion is recognized by professional philosophers. In these ways, the Tomo Cook Scholarship has directly furthered my goal of going to graduate school for philosophy.”
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travis folk, the biologist in charge of the east meadow project, and his daughter julia mixing seeds for planting
East Meadow to Provide New Wildlife Habitats At the College of Charleston’s environmental campus on the Stono River, a generous contribution from TD Bank has helped to diversify and enhance the part of the property referred to as the East Meadow to meet multiple ecological and aesthetic goals. The first goal was to develop 4.5 acres of native wildflower species through the central portion of the field. These were planted in winter 2017–18 and will bloom from late spring 2018 until early fall 2018. The selected species will provide valuable habitat for pollinators and serve as host plants for butterflies and birds. The second goal is to enhance the select areas of native grasses on either side of the wildflower meadow, totaling 2.4 acres. Currently these grasses provide valuable food and cover habitat for songbirds and small mammals. They also provide nesting habitat for the Eastern Meadowlark and other songbird species, which have declining regional populations. Two research stations currently exist within the East Meadow, each collecting atmospheric and climatological data. College of Charleston professors running these stations are pleased with the East Meadow management plan, and the new management plan will extend across these research sites. Thus, the East Meadow will not only provide valuable wildlife habitat, but also serve as a data collection point for academic research. The combination of research and renewed habitat management in the East Meadow is an important feature that distinguishes this Lowcountry environment and would not be possible without the financial support of generous donors such as TD Bank.
historic wli building on meeting st.
Forefathers’ Founding Principles Fund the Future With roots dating back almost as far as the College of Charleston, the Washington Light Infantry (WLI) is one of the nation’s oldest militia units. Citizens of the newly independent United States of America were wary that a second war with Great Britain was on the horizon, so in 1807 the citizens of Charleston planned for a number of volunteer corps to take up arms again if necessary to solidify their freedom and country. One of these corps – which is the last surviving volunteer corps – is the WLI. Members of the WLI Board of Offices voted to establish a scholarship at the College to provide financial assistance to graduate students who focus on American history. The WLI recognizes the important role the College has in the history and future of this country and the city of Charleston and is partnering with the College to help ensure today’s students continue studying and appreciating our founding principles: patriotism and freedom; dedication, love and reverence for sacrifice in service; and truth and integrity in all actions. The inaugural recipient of the WLI is David Rothmund, a graduate student studying history, from Lombard, Ill. “The Washington Light Infantry is proud of its storied past and is dedicated to ensuring that our nation’s historic past and the ideals that our forefathers stood for – liberty, equality and civil rights – are remembered,”
says Col. Myron Harrington, secretary of the WLI’s Board of Offices. “Additionally, we want to support scholarships that remember and honor the legacy of the courageous men and women who sacrificed all to ensure our freedoms and created our great nation.” WLI was named in honor of George Washington; and on his birthday, February 22, a military banquet is observed every year by the corps. Since 1807, the WLI has exhibited honor and bravery in every major war this country has fought. It has participated in centennial celebrations and ceremonial parades nationwide. Volunteer corps are not generally long lived, but the WLI, combining social and military features, has been marked by extraordinary vitality. In addition, the WLI has received an unusual share of popular favor and esteem by the people of Charleston and the nation. 2017 DONOR DIGEST
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Driving Business Leaders With Mercedes-Benz Vans
It’s no surprise that an innovative company like Mercedes-Benz Vans is focused on the road ahead. Consider its approach to cultivating the next generation of business leaders. April Henry ’16 and Blair Healey ’16 have been in the Mercedes-Benz Vans pipeline since they were supply chain majors in the College’s School of Business. “We were in at the ground floor,” says Healey.
Now, they are among a host of students and graduates who have benefited from increasing partnerships between the College and Mercedes-Benz Vans. The company already worked with the College for several years and is a contributor to the School of Business Dean’s Excellence Fund. It has also established a scholarship for rising juniors or seniors majoring or minoring in finance, global logistics and transportation and/or supply chain management.
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And that partnership may well grow yet. Mercedes-Benz Vans has announced plans to expand its Sprinter van assembly plant in North Charleston and to bring more than 1,300 jobs to the Lowcountry by 2020.
Henry and Healey are shining examples of the company’s European approach to identifying and developing top talent. While at the College, the two were named the first recipients of the automotive manufacturer’s scholarship for upperclassmen. They then earned internships with the company and from there met the CEO of the facility, who sat down with them for a three-hour dinner. Upon graduation, both had job offers in hand. Healey and Henry are glad the College presented them with opportunities that turned into vibrant first jobs. They’ve gotten to travel across the globe in their roles for Mercedes. They also get to work and make a living in a city they love – and play an integral role in its all-important economic growth. “We really see the value of the students who are coming out of CofC,” says Alyssa Bean, a spokeswoman for Mercedes-Benz in Charleston.
blair healey ’16, president and ceo of mercedez-benz vans michael balke and april henry ’16 mercedes lot completed vans roll off the assembly line michael balke gives a tour to visiting business majors
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Gathering Happiness Beads in Cuba One of the Bonner Leader Program’s commitments is for students to develop an international understanding that will enable them to participate fully and successfully in a global society. Toward this end, each year third- and fourthyear students at the College of Charleston go abroad for an international experience.
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To prepare for the trip, students attended a 10-hour Education, Orientation and Training meeting, where each student presented on a specific topic ranging from history to culture to food. The preparation served the students well, as they were able to immerse fully in the program’s experiences in history, politics, music and the arts. “As an urban studies major, I was thrilled to be able to witness the way of life … in a completely different country,” says Bianca Lapaz ’19. “I realized that while our countries of origin and languages may differ, our skin tones may vary and our economic systems and cultures may be vastly different, every Cuban and I had one thing in particular in common: a human connection.” 60 | COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
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In December 2017, 14 students traveled to Cuba for cultural, educational and community immersion, and to learn about Cuba’s many advances in education, health and social sciences. The trip would not have been possible without the generosity of the Steve and Maureen Kerrigan family and the Heffron Leadership Fund from the Coastal Community Foundation. Their support provided students with an avenue of self-discovery, social awareness and social responsibility that resulted in their learning and growing in ways that would not have otherwise been possible.
bianca lapaz ‘19 proudly displays her portrait painted by acclaimed cuban artist, edel bordon
She forged this human connection while visiting the the Bordons, an artist family who welcomed the students into their home. “Mr. Bordon gave me incredible advice about how happiness is not a state of being that one can achieve or find themselves in, but rather, it is more like a string of beads where one collects happy moments over time,” says Lapaz. “When one becomes old, happiness is looking back at this string of beads and admiring each and every one for its beauty and joy. He hoped that this moment we shared would be remembered among my string of happiness beads, and without a doubt, it certainly is and always will be.”
Internship Program Builds Careers The College of Charleston Career Center helps give students the tools they need to be successful as they embark on their professional journeys after graduation. And – thanks to the support of the Wittich family – the center is expanding its role in the futures of students, alumni and the College as a whole.
clyde promoting the career center
With gifts that have allowed the Career Center to not only begin an internship award program, but also expand its reach among alumni and corporate community partners, Denise and Peter Wittich – parents of William Wittich ’17 – are strong believers in the power of the center as another boon for the College’s national reputation. “We think the College of Charleston is a great institution that has not yet received the appropriate recognition of its excellent programs and well-trained graduates, and we want to change that and show the rest of the world that this is a source of experienced, ready-to-work professionals,” says Denise Wittich. “Professional development is at the center of what colleges do, and supporting and providing the resources necessary to broaden the overall capacity of the Career Center elevates its graduates and takes the College’s national profile to the next level.” The possibilities are not lost on Jim Allison, executive director of the Career Center. “Peter and Denise Wittich have set the standard that career development and outcomes are essential to the college experience,” he says, noting that The Princeton Review recently ranked the Career Center No. 18 of the “Best Career Services” in the country. “While we are proud of recent success data, accolades and rankings, we are even more driven by the direct impact we have on individual students.” The Wittichs hope that their financial gift will further that impact even more. “We look forward to seeing the Career Center and the College expand their reach,” says Denise. “This is a place where students thrive, where they are happy – and showing that success continues after graduation is something that everyone can and should get behind.”
SAMUEL FREEMAN CHARITABLE TRUST MEANS THE WORLD TO COFC STUDENTS One of the most transformative opportunities that a student can receive is the chance to study abroad. For three decades, the Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust (SFCT) has helped connect the College to the world and enrich our students’ lives by funding travel scholarships. Moreover, the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs (LCWA) was established in part through generous funding from the SFCT. As one of LCWA’s most important philanthropic partners, SFCT has enabled the school to distribute more than $300,000 to 377 students for study-abroad opportunities in the last four years, granting students life-changing experiences and enriching their educational endeavors. “I was able to study abroad in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires as a result of my scholarship,” says Madison Crow ‘21, a recipient of the SFCT’s support. “Studying abroad helped me develop my knowledge of Latin America, grow my Spanish skills, immerse myself in the culture, and mature as a global scholar. I believe that this experience in South America will truly allow me to explore my career opportunities and develop my interest in the realm of Latin American studies as I make my way toward graduate programs and my future profession.” Madison, like many other CofC students, will be forever changed by her time abroad, an opportunity that introduced her to new possibilities, cultures and experiences that otherwise would not have been possible without philanthropic support.
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A House Becomes a Home The College evokes feelings of nostalgia, tradition and accomplishment in those who spend time under its oaks. Such is the case for Norma and Sanford “Sandy” Goldberg and their extended family, which has been a part of the College for nearly 90 years. Growing up at 40 Coming Street in downtown Charleston, Sandy and his brothers, Herbert and Edward, frequented the campus as a playground, route to school and pathway to their parents’ King Street business. Sandy and Norma recently established a series of four-year scholarships to honor their family. Officially named the Sandy and Norma May Goldberg Quasi-Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Sol and Rita Goldberg, the scholarships will provide support to students who are from the South Carolina Lowcountry, particularly Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, as well as the Georgetown, Beaufort and Orangeburg areas. The Goldbergs’ motivation is to support the College and its students and to salute the College’s strong influence on their family. Since the campus was literally in their backyard, the Goldbergs attended College sporting events, educational seminars and other programs; but the most significant influence was the example the College provided of the power of education. Sandy spent his freshman year at the College lettering in freshman and varsity basketball, and even won the collegewide track meet. Herbert graduated with honors from CofC in 1963, and all three brothers earned graduate degrees. Sandy remained active with the College for more than 30 years from his home in Atlanta, and moved back to Charleston in 1995. He served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and as the chair of its Athletics Committee, and was also a member of the Cougar Club. Both Sandy and Norma continue to support the College through contributions as well as enrolling as “adult students.” Sandy’s parents sold their home on Coming Street for less than market value to the College so it could be used as the first campus Alumni House. Today, the building houses offices for the Department of Residence Life, and the rear part of the original property is now part of the Theodore S. Stern Student Center. inset photo: 40 coming street; opposite page: background: plat of 40 coming street after the goldberg family sold the home to cofc; top photos: rita and sol goldberg; bottom: norma and sandy goldberg
The following lists of donors are now located at giving.cofc.edu/honorrolls. We work diligently to make each list as complete and accurate as possible. If we have overlooked anyone or if there is an error, please allow us to correct our records: Contact Carin Jorgensen at 843.953.5859 or jorgensencl@cofc.edu. BISHOP ROBERT SMITH SOCIETY donors who have made lifetime philanthropic commitments of $1 million or greater to benef it the College
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GOLD SOCIETY
young alumni who contribute $100 or more annually to the College depending on graduation year
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alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, friends, corporations and foundation partners that contribute $1,000 or more each year to the College
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LIVE OAK SOCIETY
donors who give consistently for f ive years or more and provide the roots of the College’s philanthropic foundation
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CISTERN SOCIETY
alumni and friends who preserve the College through a commitment in their will, charitable trust or other estate planning method
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IN TRIBUTE
donors who made gifts to the College in 2017 in memory or in honor of the special people who made a difference in their lives and in the life of the community 2017 DONOR DIGEST
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Cheers, hugs and high-f ives were ubiquitous as the buzzer sounded and the Cougars claimed the Colonial Athletic Association’s men’s basketball championship. With a tough-fought victory over the Northeastern Huskies, the team culminated a phenomenal season with the CAA title and ended a nearly two-decade drought of NCAA Tournament appearances. With most of the starters returning and some top recruits joining them, you can be sure it won’t be another 19 years before getting invited to The Big Dance again.
2017 COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON BOARDS
The dedicated volunteers who serve on the boards and councils provide support in many ways, including the promotion of academic programs, research, faculty development and institutional governance. Please note: The names that appear in these lists served their respective boards during all or part of 2017.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES David M. Hay 1981, Chair Frank M. Gadsden 1980, Vice Chair Renee B. Romberger 1981, Secretary Donald H. Belk 2000 John H. Busch 1985 Demetria N. Clemons 1975 L. Cherry Daniel 1975
Henrietta U. Golding 1974 Randolph R. Lowell 1995 Annaliza O. Moorhead 1992 Gregory D. Padgett 1979 Toya D. Pound 1991 Penny S. Rosner 1992 Jeffrey M. Schilz 2000
Brian J. Stern 2006 Joseph F. Thompson Jr. 1974 Craig C. Thornton 2002 M. Todd Warrick 1999 Ricci Land Welch 1992 John B. Wood Jr. 1983
Tina M. Cundari 1996 Neil W. Draisin 1965 Jessica G. Gibadlo 1997 Fleetwood S. Hassell Arthur. J. Heath Amy L. Heyel 1992 James F. Hightower 1982 Theodore V. Howie Jr. 1983 Reba Kinne Huge Jean W. Johnson Jeffrey J. “JJ” Lamberson 1993 H. Chapman McKay 1986
Justin R. McLain 1998 D. Sherwood Miler III 1974 Charles S. Mosteller 1981 Laura T. Ricciardelli Hilton C. Smith Jr. Sherrie Snipes-Williams Sam Stafford III 1968 Steve D. Swanson 1989 (Director Emeritus) Chloe Knight Tonney 1984 W. Dixon Woodward Tomi G. Youngblood
FOUNDATION BOARD Jeffery E. Kinard 1977, Chair William Glen Brown Jr. 1976, Vice Chair R. Keith Sauls 1990, Secretary Stephen R. Kerrigan, Treasurer Peggy Boykin 1981 Lisa B. Burbage 1981 John B. Carter Jr. Eric S. Cox 1993 Scott A. Cracraft 1983 David Crowley 2002
COUGAR CLUB BOARD David Crowley 2002, President Tim Scofield, Treasurer Josh Atkinson 2006, Secretary Johnnie Baxley 1992
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John Douglass 1999 George Fraggos Adam Griffin 2014 Barbara Hallberg Carl Johnson 1971
Danny Johnson 2011 Frank Kenan 2005 J.J. Lamberson 1993 Ross Miller 2003 John “Chip” Molony 1978
Tom O’Donnell Will Sherrod 1993 Larry Simon 1976 Marc Stein 1998
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD D. Sherwood Miler III 1974, President Michael R. Renault 1995, President Elect Daniel Ravenel 1972, Past President Johnnie W. Baxley III 1992, Vice President Stacey Barber Hollings 2005, Vice President Theodore V. Howie Jr. 1983, Vice President Allison Burke Thompson 1995, Vice President Angel Brown Touwsma 1993, Vice President Derrick L. Williams 1999, Vice President Marvell Adams 2000 Randy E. Adkins Jr. 1998 Jennifer C. Bailey 2017 Christian R. Bailey 2012 Krista Ellis Bannister 1992 Ryan E. Beasley Sr. 2000 Kristen Munsey Beckham 2007 Caroline Carpenter Bende 2005 Erica Henderson Brown 1993 Elizabeth Colbert-Busch 1979 Tammy Carroll Coghill 1985 Rodney Conner 1997 Sylleste Helms Davis 1983 John D. Douglass 1999 Neil W. Draisin 1965 Bartina Lorick Edwards 1987 Martin Erbele 2013 Graham L. Ervin 2005 Robert T. Flynn 2004 Rita Hammond 1987 Devon Wray Hanahan 1987 Karen Burroughs Jones 1974 Cynthia Marcengill Legette 1993 Mitchell Leverette 1985 J. Christopher Mattox 2002 Rahul N. Mehra 1983 Kelly T. Moorhead 1999 Clayton Mozingo 2003 Rallis L. Pappas 1978 S. Rivers Pearce 2001 Brady Quirk-Garvan 2008 John S. Rizzo 2007 Carmen Sessions Scott 1996 Kathryn Edwards Sherrod 1993 Michael A. Smith 2001 Sam Stafford III 1968 Hunter P. Stunzi 2007 Olivia L. Talbott 2018 Debra A. Turner 1978 Anthony Scott Ward 1985
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CONTACT US
The College’s Division of Institutional Advancement has worked diligently to make the information in this Donor Digest as complete and accurate as possible. If there is an error, please contact: Carin Jorgensen Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations 843.953.5859 jorgensencl@cofc.edu giving.cofc.edu/honorrolls
DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Chris Tobin Executive Vice President of Institutional Advancement Executive Director, Foundation 843.953.3694 tobinc@cofc.edu
DEVELOPMENT
Cathy H. Mahon 1980 Vice President of Development 843.953.5432 mahonc@cofc.edu
FINANCE
Debye Alderman Director of Finance and Administration 843.953.7458 aldermanda@cofc.edu
STEWARDSHIP & DONOR RELATIONS Carin Jorgensen Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations 843.953.5859 jorgensencl@cofc.edu
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Denise Ciccarelli Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations 843.953.5018 ciccarellimd@cofc.edu
Laurie Soenen Director of Annual Giving Programs 843.953.3418 soenenl@cofc.edu
Peggy Cieslikowski Director of Planned Giving 843.953.6475 cieslikowskiph@cofc.edu
Kenton Youngblood Director of Development 843.953.5348 youngbloodk@cofc.edu
Jenny Fowler Peck Director of Development 843.953.6620 fowlerj@cofc.edu
ALUMNI AFFAIRS
Ann Looper Pryor 1983 Vice President of Alumni Affairs 843.953.2060 pryoral@cofc.edu Karen Jones 1974 Executive Secretary College of Charleston Alumni Association 843.953.5773 jonesk@cofc.edu
ADVANCEMENT SERVICES
Marijana R. Boone 2001 Director of Advancement Services 843.953.5647 boonemr@cofc.edu
COMMUNICATIONS
Darcie Goodwin Sr. Director of Advancement Communications 843.953.3530 goodwind1@cofc.edu
ATHLETICS
Jerry Baker 1974 Executive Director Cougar Club 843.953.6550 bakerj@cofc.edu
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